Comments on: Do You Dare to Work with Friends? http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/ Rebooting the workforce Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:43:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: 303 Insanely Interesting Links From 2007 -- Jarkko Laine - Insanely interested http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-305262 303 Insanely Interesting Links From 2007 -- Jarkko Laine - Insanely interested Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:38:57 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-305262 [...] Do You Dare to Work with Friends?, Web Worker Daily [...] [...] Do You Dare to Work with Friends?, Web Worker Daily [...]

]]> By: Do you dare work with friends? « The thing about useful stuff is http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-289224 Do you dare work with friends? « The thing about useful stuff is Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:13:44 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-289224 [...] you dare work with friends? Web Worker highlights that Justin Kownacki recently asked whether is it a good idea to get your friends involved in your [...] [...] you dare work with friends? Web Worker highlights that Justin Kownacki recently asked whether is it a good idea to get your friends involved in your [...]

]]> By: Irene http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-214384 Irene Tue, 06 Nov 2007 01:41:57 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-214384 Another consideration: Many friendships are forged in the workplace---While work and friendship can be a toxic mix, there are ways to avoid it by maintaining some boundaries. Irene www.fracturedfriendships.com Another consideration: Many friendships are forged in the workplace—While work and friendship can be a toxic mix, there are ways to avoid it by maintaining some boundaries.

Irene
http://www.fracturedfriendships.com

]]> By: dH http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-213808 dH Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:52:03 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-213808 I have to agree. There is a chance to work well with friends or family members but the pitfalls will be around all the time and it's easier to replace strangers than friends later. If you do business seriously, it's always better a friendship built on business than a business built on friendship. I have to agree. There is a chance to work well with friends or family members but the pitfalls will be around all the time and it’s easier to replace strangers than friends later.
If you do business seriously, it’s always better a friendship built on business than a business built on friendship.

]]> By: De Caso » Bons amigos de cerveja são bons sócios com certeza? http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-69355 De Caso » Bons amigos de cerveja são bons sócios com certeza? Thu, 24 May 2007 06:15:31 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-69355 [...] Titulo cretino para expor algo que eu já pensei e, em um momento ou em outro, todas as pessoas que já passaram por uma faculdade de comunicação já passaram: Ter a vontade de abrir uma empresa com os amigos. Então achei um post sobre isso no Web Worker Daily (Do you dare to work with friends/). [...] [...] Titulo cretino para expor algo que eu já pensei e, em um momento ou em outro, todas as pessoas que já passaram por uma faculdade de comunicação já passaram: Ter a vontade de abrir uma empresa com os amigos. Então achei um post sobre isso no Web Worker Daily (Do you dare to work with friends/). [...]

]]> By: Abogado Costa Rica lawyer http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-27224 Abogado Costa Rica lawyer Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:45:58 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-27224 Nice site! http://www.nccabogados.com/ Nice site! http://www.nccabogados.com/

]]> By: Nancy http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-27068 Nancy Tue, 20 Mar 2007 23:42:52 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-27068 If I said it once, I said it hundred times to my dear friend who continues to make the same mistake - "don't go into business with family or friends unless." Twice she hired family, twice she created rifts when she had to let them go because they took advantage of her generosity, came late to work, called in sick constantly, and were basically bad employees. Once she went into business with a friend who left her holding the bag doing all the work to get the business started. She finally took my advice and dissolved the business. Why split profits if you're going to do all the work anyway? If I said it once, I said it hundred times to my dear friend who continues to make the same mistake – “don’t go into business with family or friends unless.” Twice she hired family, twice she created rifts when she had to let them go because they took advantage of her generosity, came late to work, called in sick constantly, and were basically bad employees. Once she went into business with a friend who left her holding the bag doing all the work to get the business started. She finally took my advice and dissolved the business. Why split profits if you’re going to do all the work anyway?

]]> By: kristen http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26725 kristen Thu, 15 Mar 2007 01:30:27 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26725 I actually know exactly what you are saying in this post. I have recently gone into work with a couple of friends and I can truly say that some of the above mentioned pitfalls are occurring now. I wish I had had this before I started as I may have made a different decision. I actually know exactly what you are saying in this post. I have recently gone into work with a couple of friends and I can truly say that some of the above mentioned pitfalls are occurring now. I wish I had had this before I started as I may have made a different decision.

]]> By: Bons amigos de cerveja são bons sócios com certeza? « De Caso http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26667 Bons amigos de cerveja são bons sócios com certeza? « De Caso Wed, 14 Mar 2007 05:37:58 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26667 [...] Quarta-feira, Março 14th, 2007 in Filosofias Titulo cretino para expor algo que eu já pensei e, em um momento ou em outro, todas as pessoas que já passaram por uma faculdade de comunicação já passaram: Ter a vontade de abrir uma empresa com os amigos. Então achei um post sobre isso no Web Worker Daily (Do you dare to work with friends/). [...] [...] Quarta-feira, Março 14th, 2007 in Filosofias Titulo cretino para expor algo que eu já pensei e, em um momento ou em outro, todas as pessoas que já passaram por uma faculdade de comunicação já passaram: Ter a vontade de abrir uma empresa com os amigos. Então achei um post sobre isso no Web Worker Daily (Do you dare to work with friends/). [...]

]]> By: Bill http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26636 Bill Tue, 13 Mar 2007 20:20:14 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26636 Do go into business with friends, overall this has been the best decision I've made carrer-wise. I've worked with friends for nearly a year now. But there is one important thing to remember: When it deals with things of value: contracts, IP, products, anything at all, forget they are your friends. Friends assume their friends are working in each other's best interests. The problem is, it is very difficult to know someone's intentions in all matters. By the time something becomes valuable, each person in a group of friends probably has a slightly to wildly different very of the end game. Arguments ensure, friendship cool, or at worst, lawyers come out. Also, sometimes, people just get greedy, even your friends. This is experience speaking, and it was ugly. Write agreements, build spreadsheets, document all aspects of your business. This isn't fun, but it is vital. The more you work to document what you are doing, and who owns how much of it, the less chance you have of a catastrophic misunderstanding later. Get a lawyer, spend a little time on important documents like your operating agreement. Make sure everyone has time to think, generate questions, and have them answered. Going into business for yourself is tricky, and working with your friends is both a risk and an asset. Get everyone to agree that maintaining your friendship is as important as the success of your business. The unfriendly agreements upfront allow you to have fun getting the real work of your business done. And this second time around for me has been great fun. Do go into business with friends, overall this has been the best decision I’ve made carrer-wise. I’ve worked with friends for nearly a year now. But there is one important thing to remember:

When it deals with things of value: contracts, IP, products, anything at all, forget they are your friends. Friends assume their friends are working in each other’s best interests. The problem is, it is very difficult to know someone’s intentions in all matters. By the time something becomes valuable, each person in a group of friends probably has a slightly to wildly different very of the end game. Arguments ensure, friendship cool, or at worst, lawyers come out. Also, sometimes, people just get greedy, even your friends. This is experience speaking, and it was ugly.

Write agreements, build spreadsheets, document all aspects of your business. This isn’t fun, but it is vital. The more you work to document what you are doing, and who owns how much of it, the less chance you have of a catastrophic misunderstanding later.

Get a lawyer, spend a little time on important documents like your operating agreement. Make sure everyone has time to think, generate questions, and have them answered.

Going into business for yourself is tricky, and working with your friends is both a risk and an asset. Get everyone to agree that maintaining your friendship is as important as the success of your business. The unfriendly agreements upfront allow you to have fun getting the real work of your business done. And this second time around for me has been great fun.

]]> By: Michael http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26635 Michael Tue, 13 Mar 2007 20:04:55 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26635 7 months ago I started a company with a friend from another country and we are sharing a flat so we hang out more or less 24/7. It's a bit like going to college and having a roommate that studies the same as you - work and play merge. Of course we have to grow up at some point but right now we are having fun - and making money. 7 months ago I started a company with a friend from another country and we are sharing a flat so we hang out more or less 24/7. It’s a bit like going to college and having a roommate that studies the same as you – work and play merge.
Of course we have to grow up at some point but right now we are having fun – and making money.

]]> By: Green Potatoes http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26634 Green Potatoes Tue, 13 Mar 2007 19:46:46 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26634 Remember, friends is more likely to sue you if it all falls apart Remember, friends is more likely to sue you if it all falls apart

]]> By: Marsello http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26629 Marsello Tue, 13 Mar 2007 18:27:54 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26629 I would agree with Josh above. Me and my roommate has a great working relationship because we know how to communicate well and also we know each other's strengths and weaknesses. I guess having someone who live right next door (ex: roommate) would help a lot since you know the other person's habits and character pretty well. I would agree with Josh above. Me and my roommate has a great working relationship because we know how to communicate well and also we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I guess having someone who live right next door (ex: roommate) would help a lot since you know the other person’s habits and character pretty well.

]]> By: William "Papa" Meloney http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26623 William "Papa" Meloney Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:51:12 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26623 A maxim that protected me all along... <blockquote> There are no friends in business and there is no business among friends.</blockquote> A maxim that protected me all along…

There are no friends in business and there is no business among friends.

]]> By: Josh P http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26617 Josh P Tue, 13 Mar 2007 15:51:11 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/13/do-you-dare-to-work-with-friends/#comment-26617 I've been in business with a friend of mine for well over a year now and it has worked great. It really just comes down to communication. As long as everybody knows where each other stands, you really can avoid most major issues. I’ve been in business with a friend of mine for well over a year now and it has worked great. It really just comes down to communication. As long as everybody knows where each other stands, you really can avoid most major issues.

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